Movie Review: The Revenant

Leo is so darn determined to get that Oscar on his mantelpiece he even had a fist fight with a bear!

The film is based partly on the novel “The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge” written by Michael Punke; which focuses on the story of Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his death defying journey of vengeance after being left for dead in the American mid-West during the 1820’s.

During fur trading endeavour lead by Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) and his men consisting of the selfish and cowardly John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) and a young man with a heart full of morals Jim Bridger (Will Poulter); whom right from the get go are ambushed by Native Americans in a brutal and action packed scene. It was shot in such a way it felt like you were there with them running for your life, this movie takes you on a sensory journey and puts you in the heart of it all.

Alejandro González Iñárritu isn’t alone, choosing to work again with cinematography Emmanuel Lubezki who again brings visually stunning scenes to screen. The way he catches the American wilderness in such tranquillity is something to be admired, Lubezki’s high standards have become expected with his previous work on films such as Birdman and Gravity both of which winning him Oscar’s for cinematography; if you thought two Oscar’s on the bounce would get him slacking off then you’re wrong!

Leo’s acting is again on point, the man can do no wrong and he is consumed by his character. Tom Hardy also delivered a decent performance becoming a very easy to hate villain. The end fight scene between the two is something that puts you on the edge of your seat, I became so engrossed that I genuinely wanted revenge for Leo, no punches were held in this brutal climax!

This film reminded me of another similar plotted movie The Gladiator, obviously the plots are similar but also with the whole visual aspect and the spirituality undertones. Every pause for a poetic pan out on the American landscape is like a pause for breath during this extremely intense endeavour.